Napkin fixture



' Dec. 16, 1930.

W. P. M CORKINDALE NAPKIN FIXTURE Filed May 10, 1926 INVLNTOR WP. 134. E 0mm DALE BY l ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 16, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM P. MGCORKINDALE, OF SOUTH HADLEY FALLS, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 SPECIALTY SALES COMPANY, INCORPORATED, 013 HOLYOKE, MASSACHUSETTS, A

CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS NAPKIN Application filed May 10, This invention relates to improvements in napkin fixtures and its leading object is to provide anapkin fixture with a combined napkin holding and delivery cabinet so constructed that a minimum resistance will be offered to the withdrawal of the napkins, the folded napkins will be at leastpartially unfolded when successively withdrawn, and the napkins will be automatically advanced to delivery position, which will be maintained at a constant level.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a napkin fixture from which folded napkins may be successively withdrawn, and the use of a follower to control the delivery of the napkins may be dispensed with.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a napkin dispensing device having holding means which is constructed to offer a minimum of resistance to the succes sive withdrawal of the folded napkins, and having a propelling means concealed in the base or standard of the device.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in certain new and useful constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts, clearly described in the following'specification and fully illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation. 1

Fig. 2 is a top plan view.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through.

the standard.

Fig. 5 is a detail side elevation of a folded napkin. I

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the folded napkin; and I Fi 7 is a modification of the side stops for t e napkins.

Referring to the accompanying drawings which illustrate the practical construction of my invention, 5 designates the standard, which'is shown in the form of a die or other casting, but which may be constructed in ac cordance with any process. This standard comprises the base 6 and the upright 7, which has an axial bore 7 The upper end ofthe upright'is provided with a bearing head '7 The nap 'in holding means comprlses a FIXTURE 1926. Serial No. 108,109.

horizontal support 8, which is formed or provided with upwardly extending integral terminal arms 9 and 10, which are disposed at right angles to the horizontal support 8. The terminal arm 9 is formed with two lateral napkin retaining end stops 9 and 9 which are spaced from each other to provide a clearance 9 therebetween, tion of the arm 9 being shown curved to ofier a minimum resistance to the withdrawal of the uppermost napkin. .The opposite arm 10 is provided with two lateral napkin retaining stops 10 and 10 similarly spaced apart as indicated at 10. These two opposing groups of stops are arranged in the same horizontal plane, approximately, and in substantial alignment with each other, as shown.

The transverse support 11 is located on the support 8 and is provided with upwardly extending arms 12 and 13, which are formed with horizontal, inwardly extending terminal flanges 12 and 13', which are shown to be co-extensive with the width of the support and its arms. These four arms are arranged to form a box-like enclosure for the stack of folded paper napkins 14, which is arranged over the two supports, each napkin being rectangular in form. The supports 8 and 11 are connected to the head of the standard by means of the threaded sleeve 15, as shown, or by any other suitable means. 'A tube 16 extends vertically through the central portion of the bearing head 7 and into a threaded recess in the under side of the nut 15 where it is secured. The tube 16 is located in the bore of the stand ard.- The nut 17 is a part of the sleeve 15 threaded on the upper end of the tube and bears against the uppermost support 8 of the central portion of the napkin holding means, to prevent the downward movement of the tube.

In the tube 16 a plunger 19 is arranged to freely slide, and this plunger has a pressure head 20 secured to the upper endthereof, which may be rectangular in shape, but smaller in area than the area of the napkins, so that no frictional resistance between the pressure head and the arms 9, 1O, 11 and 12 will take place.

the adjacent edge por- An extension coiled spring 21 is enclosed by the inner tube 16 and engages the lower end wall of the plunger 19 at one end and the cap nut 22 at its lower end, the cap nut being threaded on to the low lower end of the tube 16. It forms a means for accurately adjusting the tension of the spring 21.

The pressure exerted by the spring is sufficient to maintain the uppermost napkin of the stack 14 in contact with the terminal stops 9, 10. 9*, 9", 1 2 and 13 of the arms 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the napkin holding means.

Each napkin consists of a sheet of paper folded upon itself to provide non-equal major wings 23 and 2a, and the half folded sheet is then folded again upon itself to provide a short outer portion 25, consisting of two plies, and a longer inner portion 26, consisting of two plies. The two portions 25 and 26 are then folded upon themselves to provide a terminal withdrawal flap and a terminal unfolding flap 28, which extends outwardly of the adjacent fold line or edge 29.

The napkins are arranged within the open, box-like, holding means so that the withdrawal flaps are uppermost. The edges of these withdrawal flaps occupy a position near the longitudinal center line of the holding means.

The side stops 12 and 13 project over the adjacent edge portions of the uppermost napkin but a relatively short distance, and the spaced end stops 9 9 10 and 10 having but slight bearing on the end edge portions of the uppermost napkin.

Owing to the receding edge portion connecting the spaced end stops at each end of the holding means, contact between the end portions of the uppermost napkin and these end stops increases slightly from the longitudinal center line of the uppermost napkin, and the edge of the withdrawal flap is located approximately at this center line, so that the said edge will occupy a position approximately central to the upwardly extending end arms 9 and 10 and their terminal stops.

When the uppermost napkin is grasped by picking up the exposed withdrawal flap 25 and the napkin is then pulled, the portions of the end edges of the withdrawal flap will slide against the arched edges between the spaced end stops, and this action will tend to break up the adhesion of the folded areas of the napkin, and to cause the napkin to slightly buckle along its length, thus admitting air to facilitate the opening action desired during the withdrawal of the napkin. The pulling of the folded napkin causes the side from which the withdrawal flap extends to then leave contact with the side stop with which it is engaged, while during this phase of the withdrawal movement the opposite side stop maintains contact with the end edge portion of the unfolding flap. When the napkin is finally withdrawn it will be half opened, and

may then be laid across the lap of the person, or otherwise applied, or it may be fully opened and applied as desired. The user having the free choice of applying the napkin, with a two ply thickness, or applying it with a one ply thickness.

As only a limited area of contact is allowed between the holding means and the uppermost napkin this napkin is easily withdrawn, against the slight clamping pressure exerted by the lifting spring.

There is no follower overlying the napkins to complicate the withdrawal action. The uppermost napkin has a maximum exposure to the vision of the user, and there is therefore ready access to the cabinet thus provided.

In filling the holding means or cabinet there is no obstruction offered to the loading operation, as the person filling the cabinet has merely to push the stack of napkins against the spring propelled pressure head, which will yield downwardly.

All edges of the stack are clamped within the holding means, as a result of the pressure of the spring, so that the napkin stack is maintained compactly arranged against the infiltration of dirt.

As the napkins are successively withdrawn the pressure head 20 will rise, thus insuring that the required clamping pressure will be maintainedon the pressure or lifting head until the last napkin has been withdrawn, and after.

In Fig. 7 I show a modified form of the side stops, which are shown to be provided with rollers 30, so that rolling contact with the napkin on top of the stack may be obtained.

By adjusting the cap nut 22 on the lower end of the housing tube the tension of the spring may be regulated at will.

Having described my invention I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A napkin dispensing device consisting of a napkin holding means having four upwardly extending arms provided with inwardly extending spaced terminal stops, and means comprising a tubular member, a plunger therein and a spring in the tubular member engaging the plunger for propelling a stack of napkins against the stops.

2. A napkin dispensing device consisting of a napkin holding means having upwardly extending arms provided with laterally spaced terminal stops and spring pressed means for advancing the napkins of astack arranged on the holding means as the napkins are successively withdrawn, said stops having an edge bearing engagement with the napkins, and a curved surface between the laterally spaced stops for permitting the uppermost napkin to be easily withdrawn.

3. A napkin dispensing device comprising a cabinet having inwardly extending stops to engage the uppermost napkin of a stack of napkins arranged in the cabinet, a hollow supporting base member for the cabinet, a tube disposed in the supporting base member, a plunger slidable in the tube and carrying on its upper end a pressure head for receiving the innermost napkin of the stack of napkins, and a spring in the tube having a bearing at one end against the plunger and at the other end against thebottom of the tube to automatically advance the napkins as they are successively withdrawn from the stack.

4.. A napkin dispensing device consisting of a cabinet having opposed side arms to engage the side of a stack of folded paper napkins and opposed end arms to engage the ends of a stack of napkins, each arm having an inset terminal stop to engage the outermost napkin of the stack, a support for the cabinet, a tube in the support having a thrust collar on its inner end to engage the cabinet, a second tube in the first tube, a member carried by the second tube to engage the innermost napkin of the stack, a spring arranged in the second tube and having a bearing at one end against said member, and a member adjustable on the first tube to vary the spring tension.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

WILLIAM P. MOCORKINDALE. 

